John Smith's new film 'Being John Smith' premieres at Vienna's Secession alongside retrospective works
John Smith's autobiographical film 'Being John Smith' (2024), lasting 27 minutes, is currently on display at Secession in Vienna until 16 November. Now in his seventies, Smith contemplates his frequently shared name, health challenges following cancer treatment, and various global issues. The exhibition features 'The Black Tower' (1985–87), a 16mm film that critiques the government of Margaret Thatcher, alongside 'Dad's Stick' (2012), which delves into memory through objects passed down. Smith's works blend humor with social commentary, as seen in 'The Girl Chewing Gum' (1976) and other significant films like 'Blight' (1994–96) and 'Hotel Diaries' (2001–07). His films, typically narrated by him, provoke skepticism in viewers and underscore his impact on postmodern cinema, exploring themes of identity and artistic heritage.
Key facts
- John Smith's film 'Being John Smith' (2024) is 27 minutes long and autobiographical.
- The exhibition at Secession in Vienna runs through 16 November and includes three films.
- 'The Black Tower' (1985–87) is a 16mm, 24-minute film shot in London during Margaret Thatcher's reign.
- Smith made 'The Girl Chewing Gum' (1976) as a student at the Royal College of Art in Dalston, East London.
- 'Dad's Stick' (2012) was commissioned for the Frieze Art Fair and explores memory through inherited objects.
- Smith's father died in 2007, and the artist underwent treatment for head and neck cancer three years before 2024.
- His works often feature voiceovers by Smith and critique societal issues, such as in 'Blight' (1994–96) and 'Hotel Diaries' (2001–07).
- The exhibition highlights Smith's five-decade career, blending humor, structuralist techniques, and political commentary.
Entities
Artists
- John Smith
- M.R. James
- Arthur Machen
- Jean-Luc Godard
- Winston Churchill
- Jarvis Cocker
- J.J. Charlesworth
Institutions
- Secession
- Royal College of Art
- Frieze Art Fair
- ArtReview
- Siemens
- Schindler
- Saint Martin's
- Disney
Locations
- Vienna
- Austria
- London
- United Kingdom
- Shropshire
- Dalston
- East London
- Falluja
- Iraq